Five Steps in the Rational Policy Evaluation Model

Identifying and analyzing alternative strategies and programs created with the intention of resolving social, physical, or economic concerns is the goal of policy evaluation. The rational policy evaluation model has five steps, according to DiNitto and Johnson (2015). Below is a discussion about them.

The first phase entails outlining, clarifying, and validating the specifics of the issue (policy) that needs to be handled. It is frequently disregarded, which causes misconceptions. Most rational policy evaluation processes are group-based. This necessitates that everyone involved grasp the problem at hand. Failure to properly identify and define the problem may lead to varying definitions among different members of the group. The first step of the model ensures that the sense of the problem is similarly perceived by all the members. This facilitates the evaluation of the rational policy. After establishing the problem, an initial solution should be defined and primary analysis of the problem started (DiNitto & Johnson, 2015).

2 Step - Identify Alternative Policies

The second step entails coming up with the answers to the identified problem. In this case, solutions will be alternative policies. It is important for the policymakers to have a good understanding of the issue. Therefore, rational policy evaluation should be perceived as an incrementalism practice. Some of the possible alternatives include the status quo, also known as the “do nothing approach”, and any other that can serve to improve the existing situation. Policymakers can also combine available policies with new ones to derive better solutions that have not been thought of before. Past experiences and past policy evaluation practices can be employed to gain better perception and to conduct a thorough and rational evaluation. Policymakers should refrain from deciding on options prematurely; several alternatives must be considered to arrive at the most suitable one. Some of the strategies that policymakers can leverage to achieve an optimal solution include research, brainstorming, experiments, concept mapping, or coming up with scenarios (DiNitto & Johnson, 2015).

3 Step - Evaluate Alternative Policies

The next step is to evaluating the alternative policies. This helps to find the right policy to implement by evaluating how each possible alternative can benefit the previously established criteria. More data should be collected at this step for the purpose of analysing the different levels of influence which include economic, social, and political dimensions of the problem. Both quantitative and qualitative methods are employed to determine advantages and costs of each alternative. Policymakers should exercise this step to assess the possible success and failure of the available options (DiNitto & Johnson, 2015).

4 Step - Implement Policies

After the evaluation of the alternatives, the next step is to implement the most suitable policy. The policymakers need to decide on the possible application strategies and consider how they will affect the success of the chosen alternative. Combining two or more options, either existing or new ones, is a good move for ensuring that the best policy is adopted and implemented (DiNitto & Johnson, 2015).

5 Step - Monitor Effects of the Policies

This step is aimed at determining the effectiveness of the employed strategy. Even after an alternative is selected and applied, there may still exist doubts of whether the problem is solved or the implementation of the new policy is carried out appropriately. This step helps the policymakers to determine if the chosen policy was the right one and whether the intended objectives have been achieved. In case the adopted policy does not have the desirable impact, it can either be modified or terminated (DiNitto & Johnson, 2015).

Influence of Early Relief Efforts on Modern Welfare Programs in the United States

The current structure of the United States social welfare programs is shaped by changes in social and economic conditions, and long-standing traditions. In the early history of the United States, the country was rapidly expanding due to the vibrant predominant agricultural economy. According to Ehrenreich (2014) more than half of the population by the year 1870 were farmers. In the years that followed, industrialization took over resulting in specialization and urbanization. The economy was transformed from an agricultural to an economy with rising numbers of employees. The latter depended on the continual flow of money as income to support themselves and their families. Although local villages and towns aided the needy, the practice was conducted through poor relief systems involving workhouses and alms-houses. With the rapidly growing economy, there was a need to adopt measures to offer aid on a more organized basis.

The measures that were adopted saw the awarding of cash allowances to the poor, and the introduction of mother pension laws. The latter made it possible for children without fatherly support to live with their mothers rather than in foster homes or institutions. Some states in the USA also started offering old-age assistance and aid to the blind. Both the States and the Federal government realized that certain risks in the economy could be mitigated through social insurance. Social insurance programs would make certain that everyone contributes and receives the benefits, as opposed to initial schemes, where only those in need gained advantages. Social financial protection in the country was kick-started with workers’ compensation. By the year 1929, all but four states in the country had adopted and implemented social insurance programs. Laws were established to see to it that the industry compensates the workers or their beneficiaries in case of injury or death in the line of work.

Some of the earliest public welfare initiatives to be implemented by the United States government include retirement programs for certain workers employed by the government. For instance, police officers, teachers, and fire fighters were among the first groups to benefit from the program. This was followed by retirement plans for police officers and firefighters in most states. The Federal government also provided rewards for individuals who served in the Armed Forces.

Social welfare initiatives in the USA have been highly influenced by the early relief efforts. Currently, these programs have developed to become very effective and widely acceptable by the society. Change proposals are formulated targeting specific problems that arise in the community. The USA welfare plans have also developed to be highly decentralized. Some of the programs are administered and financed by the Federal government. Also, the private sector plays an important role in the decentralization of welfare initiatives. This has been achieved through the provision of health and medical insurance, and other programs such as group life insurance, and employment related pensions (Ehrenreich, 2014).

Difficulties that Confront Researchers Who are Trying to Measure Poverty in the United States

In the United States, the official measure of poverty is identified to have several distinct characteristics. For instance, it calculates the income poverty with the aim of identifying families that do not have enough money to meet their annual needs. The official measure considers the household’s annual cash and compares it to the level of income that a family of the sort requires to reach what is judged as the minimum consumption level. According to Haveman and Mullikin (1999), other potential sources of welfare, such as security tax credits, food stamps, and social inclusion are not take into account. The official measure also serves as an absolute level of poverty. In this case, the measure compares cash income to income requirements. These official poverty assessment techniques are flawed and are a major cause of the issues researchers face with while trying to measure poverty rates in the country. The nature of these poverty measures does not show the effects of the implemented policies with the aim of improving the economic well-being of the households.

Some of the criticisms and difficulties that researchers encounter when measuring poverty include the low threshold. The living standards and costs have been changing since the 1960s. Currently, food encompasses just a seventh of the average expenditures by a typical family. The poverty line back in the 1960s represented almost 50% of median income for households with up to four members. At present, the poverty line only amounts to about 28%. This indicates that poverty levels among families have been continuously dropping.

Another possible challenge that the researchers are bound to encounter in the United States involve rules employed in counting resources which may at times be understated or overstated. The rules, in this case, do not show the effects of policies such as subsidized housing assistance, refundable tax credits, on a household’s disposable income. The resource-counting practices also do not take into account the impacts of the family budgets regarding work expenses, tax liabilities, or healthcare costs.

Additionally, the United States measure of poverty fails to capture cash income accurately. The annual March Current Population Survey conducted by the Bureau of the Census is used to hold the official poverty measure. The database is not able to specifically capture income obtained from assets, and illegal activities, among others.

Ethical Implications of Policies that Require Mothers to Return to Work or Risk Losing Their Welfare Benefits

The United States has recently introduced some reforms in the welfare system, which is made up of a wide range of state programs that advocate for the family stability, offer the time-limited financial assistance, and full employment for the recipients. Several social security initiatives under The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) were removed. Among those are the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), Emergency Assistance (EA), and The Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) programs. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) was created under PRWORA to replace the cancelled initiatives. The main purpose of the program is to offer block grants to the states, to provide financial assistance to needy families. The reforms also touched other government benefits that are designed for low-income households. The programs that have been withdrawn or modified were supposed to offer benefits for health care, childcare, people living with disabilities, food stamps, child welfare, and child-support enforcement. According to the new reforms, most immigrants will have no access to welfare-related benefits (Hildebrandt & Stevens, 2009).

The new TANF rules should force more low-income adults into getting full employment through several regulations. The current beneficiaries will be required to get jobs or take part in training-related activities. A five-year lifetime limit has been imposed on financial assistance. All the benefits of an individual will be terminated if the rules are not obeyed. Finally, the number of families that will be exempt from work has been reduced. The TANF guidelines will only spare parents with children who are one year of age or less. In some states, more strict guidelines have been implemented which require mothers to resume work when the child is six months or less.

With the implementation of the TANF, the government hopes to get women to start by getting low-paying jobs, move to better-paying jobs, and eventually become financial independent within a five-year time frame. However, this is unrealistic as the notion would only apply to young women. It is extremely hard for the older one with kids and limited education to progress and get better-paying jobs within five years. Also, it becomes extremely hard for single mothers to focus on their work when the needs of her family overlap with the directives and demands of her employer. The mother will always be conflicted between keeping the job to pay for food and shelter and attending to the health, safety, and education needs of her children.

According to research carried out by Hildebrandt and Stevens (2009) on women who have been beneficiaries of TANF for multiple years, women who have been engaging in the welfare program for more than two years have been identified as disadvantaged over the long-term. The objective of the TANF welfare program is to keep women, especially single mothers, at a better state in five years. Research carried out by Hildebrandt and Stevens (2009) shows that most of the women who left the program were still working at low-paying jobs that offered no benefits. They encountered poor health, lack of transportation, economic hardships, and domestic violence, among other problems. Some were found to rely on family and friends for support; those who could not bear it resulted in substance abuse.

Women, who fail to secure well-paying jobs through the TANF program within the five-year period, are associated with the most vulnerable individuals in the United States today. Others who get sanctioned from the program or fail to qualify due to immigration status are also at great danger. The government should intervene by extending the time limits, or offer sustainable welfare exits to help the women to maintain their socioeconomic stability. The authority should ensure that every woman entering the program has an established solid plan and hope of making her live and the life of the loved ones better. The government’s biggest mistake may just be condemning them and their children to a hazardous life that will only negatively affect their health and well-being.

References

DiNitto, D.M., & Johnson, D.H. (2015). Social welfare: Politics and public policy. London, UK: Pearson.

Ehrenreich, J.H. (2014). The altruistic imagination: A history of social work and social policy in the United States. New York, NY: Cornell University Press.

Haveman, R., & Mullikin, M. (1999, April). Alternatives to the official poverty measure: Perspectives and assessment. Paper presented at the Poverty Measurement Conference, Madison, WI. Retrieved from http://www.irp.wisc.edu/research/method/havemanall.pdf

Hildebrandt, E., & Stevens, P. (2009). Impoverished women with children and no welfare benefits: The urgency of researching failures of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. American Journal of Public Health, 99(5), 793-801.